Spinner spray system

ABSTRACT

A water distributing system incorporating spinner-type spray units. Each spray unit consists of one or more support rods, a head, a water distributing spinner rotatably mounted on a laterally projecting portion of the head, and the discharge end of a water supply tube retained by the head and so directed as to discharge water on the spinner for a spray distribution thereof to the surrounding area. The head is a molded one-piece member and mounts the spinner, the discharge end of the supply tube, and the support rod or rods.

United States Patent Chapin 1 Aug. 8, 1972 154] SPINNER SPRAY SYSTEM2'11 Appl. No.: 47,833

[52] US. Cl. ..239l222.21, 239/224, 239/276 [51] Int. Cl. ..B05b 3/04[58] Field of Search ..239/2l4, 223, 224, 222.17,

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,260,301 10/1941 Cushman..239/222.2l X 477,164 6/1892 Baker ..239/222.l7 3,006,558 10/ 1961Jacobs ..239/276 X 2,785,013 3/ 1957 Stearns ..239/224 2,706,133 4/1955North, Jr. et al ..239/550 X 768,618 8/1904 Neumeyer ..'.239/222.17

2,063,381 12/1936 Holland ..239/222. 19 X 3,030,032 4/1962 Luhman, Jr...239/222. 1 7 3,532,273 10/ 1970 Siddall et a1 ..239/222.17 3,199,7918/1965 Chapin ..239/542 3,482,785 12/1969 Chapin et a1. ..239/542Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-Michael Y. Mar Attorney-Clarence A. O'Brien andHarvey B. Jacobson 1 1 ABSTRACT A water distributing systemincorporating spinner-type spray units. Each spray unit consists of oneor more support rods, a head, a water distributing spinner rotatablymounted on a laterally projecting portion of the head, and the dischargeend'of a water supply tube retained by the head and so directed as todischarge water on the spinner for a spray distribution thereof to thesurrounding area. The head is a molded one-piece member and mounts thespinner, the discharge end of the supply tube, and the support rod orrods.

13 Clains, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEUA 9 sum 3 or 3 INVESTOR Richard'0. Chap/n BY W SPINNER SPRAY SYSTEM The invention herein is concernedwith a water distribution system, and more particularly a system whereina relatively small spray discharge can be provided directly at a largenumber of individual plants, whether positioned in separate containersor merely spaced from each other on a bench or in the field.

The horticultural industry has a need for a system that will provide anefficient watering of a large number of individual plants wherein thewater can be distributed substantially directly to the soil or othergrowing media directly at and about the individual plants. Mostconventional spray operations rely either on high pressure dischargesystems wherein a considerable volume of water is discharged throughonly a few outlets at a substantial pressure, or the provision ofrestricted nozzle type small orifices which, while producing a spray,give rise to the substantial likelihood of malfunctions.

The present invention is concerned with a system which provides thedesired spray distribution of water directly at and about individualplants utilizing a small water volume at a low pressure. This isachieved through individual spinner units which are supplied, from amain, through individual feeder tubes having flow passages and dischargeends with no significant restrictions therein and from which the fullflow of water ejects for engagement against the corresponding spinners.The action of the spinner breaks up the stream of water and effects anoutward spreading thereof. The flow passage through each supply tubewhich extend from the main to the individual spinner units is relativelysmall,'on the order of 0.03 to 0.08 inch in diameter. Thus, the smalldischarge from the main into each of the individual supply tubes willenable a maintenance of the pressure within the main over runs of asubstantial length. As previously indicated, the flow passage througheach individual supply tube is unrestricted. This avoids any tendency ofblockage or clogging developing due to the presence of impurities or thelike in the water supply. The water discharges from each supply tube ina solid stream which, upon striking the freely rotatable spinner in thepath thereof, is distributed in a generally arcuate pattern to providethe relatively broad spray-type coverage desired without requiringrestrictive nozzles or the like.

This conversion of the unrestricted discharging stream into a spraypattern is particularly desirable in insuring a proper watering of theindividual plants in that were the water to directly flow from the smalltubes onto the soil or other growing media utilized, the distribution ofthe water would only extend as far as capillary action would permit.This of course varies with the types of growing media. For example, withmedia such as bark, there is substantially no capillary action involvedand a stream of water discharged thereon would merely move straightdown. Thus, the spray pattern achieved herein is of particularimportance in such circumstances.

Other advantages achieved by the specific construction involved hereininclude the provision of a spinner unit which is so configured as to besubstantially trouble-free in operation and not likely to be stopped bystriking or rubbing on plant leaves or the like. The particular spinnerunit is also so constructed as to provide for a good spray pattern overa large range of pressures, the unit being durable, inexpensive andadapted for relatively simple manufacturing procedures. The unit is alsoself-supporting, easy to position, stable when positioned, capable ofdistributing a small amount of water over a relatively large area, andprovided with an integral individual flow cut-off.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a water distributing systemincorporating the features of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of one ofthe spinner spray units;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the portion of the unitillustrated in FIG. 2, with portions broken away for purposes ofillustration;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another variation of the spinner sprayunit;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on aplane passing along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further variation of the spinner sprayunit;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on aplane passing along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 1 1-1 1 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the upper portion of yet anothervariation of the spinner spray unit; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on aplane passing along line 13-13 in FIG. 12.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the water distributingsystem of the instant invention includes an elongated water main 20, aplurality of individual spinner spray units 22, and a supply or feedertube 24 for each unit 22.

The unit 22 includes a head 26, normally molded in one-piece of rigidpolyethylene, the spinner 28 mounted on the head 26 by means of aspinner shaft 30, and a pair of depending support rods 32. The head 26is of a narrow relatively tall construction, requiring only suflicientwidth so as to frictionally receive and mount the various elementssecured thereto.

Viewed from the side, the head 26 is of a generally C- shapedconfiguration including a vertical back 34 and forwardly projectingparallel upper and lower arms 36 and 38 vertically aligned with eachother. The lower arm 38 is provided with a flat upper surface, at leastat the outer end portion thereof, and terminates in an enlargedcylindrical portion 40 through which the spinner shaft 30 is received.This enlargement of the portion 40 is significant in that it enables anaccommodation of the spinner shaft 30 without any undue weakening of thearea. The upper portion of the spinner shaft 30 projects above thecylindrical portion 40 and arm 38 for reception within a dependingsleeve-like portion 42 integral with and depending from the spinner 28in alignment with the desired center of rotation thereof. The sleeve 42and spinner 28 are rotatably received on the projecting portion of theshaft 30 for a spinning operation thereof in response to the dischargeof water thereagainst as shall be explained subsequently.

The upper arm 36 terminates in an outer end portion which is downwardlyenlarged, as at 44, so as to terminate in slightly spaced relation abovethe upper end of the spinner 28. This outer end portion of the upper arm36 is provided with a vertical bore therethrough, the upper portion 46of the bore having an internal diameter substantially equal to that ofthe external diameter of the corresponding supply tube 24 for africtional retention of the discharge end of this tube 24 therein. Thelower portion 48 of the bore is of a reduced diameter relative to theupper portion 46 thereof and is equal in size to the flow passagethrough the supply tube 24, thus providing a smooth continuation of thesupply tube fluid passage without any restriction thereof such as mightfacilitate clogging due to impurities in the water supply. It will beappreciated that, in so constructing the supply tube receiving bore orpassage, a tubing seating shoulder is provided between the passageportions 46 and 48 which is equal in thickness to the thickness of thetube 24 for a seating of the tube thereagainst upon a frictionalintroduction thereof into the upper passage portion 46.

The second end of each of the supply tubes 24 is engaged with the main20 in communication with the fluid passage therein for the reception ofwater therefrom. This engagement can be eflected in a simple and highlyeffective manner by merely punching a small hole through the main 20,the main normally being of a slightly flexible polyethylene, andfrictionally engaging the end of the supply tube 24 therethrough, theinherent resiliency of the material of the main 20 tending to positivelyretain and seal the tube 24 therein.

slopes downwardly at a steep angle and continues across the base of thespinner 28 and through one comer portion of the end opposed from thewall 52. The second corner portion 54, of the end opposed from the wall52, is elevated to a height substantially less than that of the wall 52and has the inner face thereof also sloping downwardly along an arcuatepath toward the adjacent discharge corner. A side wall 56, of generallythe same height as the corner 54, extends between the corner 54 and theback wall 52 along the corresponding side of the spinner 28 with theinner face of the side wall 56 forming a conintuation of the back walland corner faces so as to complete the downward and sweeping curvatureof the discharge portion of the spinner 28.

The spinner 28 is so located below the point of discharge of the waterwhereas the discharging water engages against the inner face of the backwall 52 below the top thereof and spreads and travels down the arcuatecooperating inner faces for a discharge from the opposed comer portion.This engagement of the water with the spinner and subsequent dischargefrom the spinner produces a spinning action of the spinner in a completecircle with the rotational rate thereof varying with the pressure of thedischarge of water. By the same token, a spray circle of from 3 inchesto 6 feet can be obtained depending on the pressure in the tube 24.

As previously indicated, the spinner 28 spins freely on the spinnershaft 30 and in fact can, upon a slight flexing, be removed forreplacement or cleaning should such be necessary.

The head 26 is completed by a depending base portion 58 extending fromthe back 26 forwardly to approximately rnid-point along the length ofthe lower arm 38. This base portion 58 includes a pair of Should it bedesirable or necessary to close off one of the spinner spray units 22,one need merely remove the outer end of the corresponding feeder tube 24from the upper passage portion 46 and insert this end into an upwardlyopening blind bore or socket 50 provided in the upper arm' 36immediately inward of the through passage. This bore or socket 50 is ofa size so as to frictionally receive the end portion of the tube 24 andretain this end portion against accidental release therefrom. It will beappreciated that the low pressure in the system, while supplying waterunder sufficient pressure so as to properly effect the desired spinningspraying action, also enables a sealing of one or several of the supplytubes in this manner without materially affecting the operation of theremainder of the system.

With the supply tube 24 positioned in the through passage as initiallydescribed, the flow passing therethrough discharges directly downwardonto the spinner 28 causing a spinning of this member 28 and a spraydischarge of the water therefrom in an arcuate or substantially circularpattern. The spinner 28 is generally oblong in shape having a high rearwall 52 rising from one end thereof. The innerface of this end walldownwardly opening blind sockets which frictionally receive and grip theupper ends of the pair of support rods 32. A thin web interconnects thetwo sections of the base portion 58 within which the blind bores aredefined. The support rods 32 extend downwardly parallel to each otherand provide a means for a positive anchoring of the unit 22 in thegrowing medium adjacent a plant.

The use of two spaced rods presents a substantial degree of stabilityandretains the unit 22 against any tendency to rotate. While FIG. 1illustrates the units 22 mounted within pots, these units are equallyadaptable for random installation along bench or field growing crops,the flexible nature of the supply tubes 24 enabling a positioning of thevarious units 22 so as to best direct the spray discharge directly aboutthe soil adjacent the individual plants. Incidentally, should it bedeemed desirable, the support rods, rather than comprising separate rodsfrictionally secured to the head 26, can be integrally formed therewith,thus providing for a molding of the head and support rods as a singleunit, requiring only the addition of the spinner to complete the device.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a related form of spinner spray unit62 has been illustrated therein. This unit includes a molded plastichead consisting of a vertical portion 64 and an upper laterallyprojecting horizontal portion 66. A single support rod 68 is utilized,the upper section of this support rod being frictionally fixed within adownwardly opening blind bore provided in the downwardly directedvertical portion 64 of the molded head.

The spinner 70 is rotatably received on an elongated spinner shaft 72fixed to and depending from the outer section of the horizontal headportion 66, this spinner shaft 72 having an enlargement 74 on the lowerend thereof so as to rotatably retain the spinner 70 thereon. Thespinner itself includes a generally conical exterior, truncated at theupper end and provided with an upwardly directed integral collar 76. Thespinner 70 is hollow, opening downwardly through the enlarged basethereof and is provided with a central full height integrally formedsleeve 78 through which the spinner shaft 72 passes. In this manner, thespinner 70 surrounds the shaft 72 and projects upwardly from theenlargement 74 in the lower end thereof, the lower end of the collarportion 78 being slightly rounded so as to rotatable seat on thisenlargement. The exterior of the spinner 70 is provided with a series ofvertical rounded ribs 80 peripherally thereabout which ribs follow theupwardly converging conical exterior of the spinner 70.

Water is fed to the spinner 70 by means of a supply tube 82, equivalentto the aforedescribed supply tubes 24, The end portion of the supplytube 82 is received through and frictionally retained in a boreextending transversely through the vertical head portion 64 with theextreme inner end of the tube 82 being so located as to direct thestream of water issuing therefrom against the spinner 70 to one side ofthe center of rotation thereof. In this manner, as the stream of waterhits the spinner 70, the spinner will rotate and throw the water alongan arcuate path to cover a substantially enlarged area. If deemednecessary, an integral enlargement 84 can be provided along the side ofthe head in the area through which the tube end portion projects so asto provide additional bulk thereat and avoid any weakening in this area.

FIGS. 9, and 11 illustrate another spinner spray unit variation,designated by reference numeral 86. The head of the unit 86 includesintegrally formed vertical and horizontal portions 88 and 9.0 with thehorizontal portion projecting laterally from the lower end of thevertical portion 88. A single support rod 92 is frictionally receivedwithin a blind bore 94 opening through the lower end of the verticalhead portion 88. An elongated spinner shaft 96 is fixed through and depends from the horizontal head portion 90 in outwardly spaced relationto the support rod 92, the lower end of the spinner shaft 96 having anenlargement 98 formed thereon so as to rotatably retain the spinner 100on the shaft 98. The spinner 100 includes a disk-like upper portion 102having a dished upwardly directed upper face with a series of radiallyorientated fins 104 positioned at equally spaced points peripherallythereof. These fins 104, noting the drawings, have upper edges coplanarwith the surrounding rim of the disk-like portion 102 and terminate, atthe inner ends thereof, in outwardly spaced relation to the spinnershaft 96. .An integral sleeve 106 is formed with and dependsconcentrically from the undersurface of the disk portion 102 in freesurrounding relation to the spinner shaft 96. The lower end of thesleeve 106 rests on the shaft enlargement 98, thus effecting therotational mounting of the spinner 100. The water to be spraydistributed is introduced through a supply tube 108, similar to theaforementioned supply tubes. This tube 108 has the discharge end portionthereof frictionally retained within a bore provided through thevertical head portion 88. The extreme end of the tube 108 is orientatedin spaced relation to the spinner and at downward angle so as todischarge the water against the spinner fins 104 to one side of thecenter of rotation of the spinner. The water engaging against thespinner fins 104 will effect a rotation of the spinner and con sequentlyan outward distributing of the water in a spray pattern so as to achievethe desired wide coverage with a relatively small amount of waterintroduced at a relatively low pressure. As with the previouslydescribed unit, an appropriate integral enlargement 110 can be providedso as to strengthen the molded head at that point where the supply tube108 passes therethrough.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a further variation wherein the spinner spray unithas a molded head thereon formed in the same manner as the head of thevariation in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, including a vertical portion 110 and anupper horizontal portion 112 projecting integrally and laterallytherefrom.

The spinner 114, associated with this form of the invention, isrotatably received on a vertical upwardly projecting spinner shaft 1 16fixed to the horizontal portion 112 toward the outer end thereof. Thespinner 114 includes a lower disk-like portion 118 having a downwardlyprojecting peripheral rim 120 and a plurality of peripherally spacedradial fins 122 extending inwardly from the peripheral rim 120 andterminating short of the central spinner shaft 116. These fins are of agreater height than the peripheral flange or wall 120 and projectdownwardly therebelow. The spinner 114 includes an integrally formedsleeve 124 projecting centrally upward from the disk-like portion 118 insurrounding relation to the spinner shaft 116, the upper end of theshaft 116 including a spinner retaining enlargement 126 thereon. Thespinner 114 is retained in spaced relation above the horizontal headportion 112, for a free spinning thereof, by a separate sleeve 128loosely received about the spinner shaft 116 between the spinner 1 l4and the upper surface of the horizontal portion 112, this sleeve 128having the upper portion thereof received between the inner ends of thefins 122 with the disk-like portion 1 18 of the spinner 114 restingfreely thereon. Water is introduced upwardly at an angle against thedownwardly directed fins 122 from a supply tube 130, similar to theprevious supply tubes. The discharge end portion of the supply tube 130is received through and frictionally retained within a passage definedprimarily through the vertical portion 110 of the molded head, andappropriately integrally formed enlargement 132 is utilized to increasethe strength of the molded head at the portion wherein the discharge endof the supply tube 130 is received. The discharging water, as will bereadily appreciated, engages the fins 122 to one side of the center ofrotation of the spinner 1 14 so as to induce a spinning movement thereofand a corresponding outwardly spraying of the water in a partiallycircular or arcuate pattern.

In all of the forms above described, it will be appreciated that thewater is supplied in a smooth uninterrupted stream with the supply tubehaving no substantial restrictions to the free flow of the water thereinsuch as might tend to cause clogging due to impurities or the like inthe water. Notwithstanding this free flow of water and a discharge inthe nature of a solid stream, the final distribution of the water is ina highly desirable spray pattern enabling the coverage of a relativelywide area. This is achieved through the utilization of an appropriatespinner rotatably mounted in the path of the discharging water so as toreceive, be activated by, and in turn distribute the water. In thismanner, there results the highly desirable advantage of eliminating anyrestrictive nozzles or the like in systems which are of a size whereinsuch restrictions could adversely affect the operation thereof, while atthe same time obtaining a wide spread pattern of water.

The system, utilizing small feeder tubes, molded components, and lowpressure, enables the effective individual watering of large number ofplants in a highly efficient and economical manner. The spinner itselfis highly compact and of a size so as to, while providing a highlyeffective spray pattern, be generally enclosed and protected by themounting head. The mounting head in turn is of a molded one-piececonstruction and functions so as to mount all of the components of thedevice, including the spinner, the support rod or rods, and thedischarge end of the water supply tube. In all instances, each of thesupply tubes has the main connected end thereof engaged through andfrictionally retained within the wall of the main so as to receive waterdirectly therefrom, no expensive connectors or the like being used orrequired. The low volume of water removed from the main by each of thesupply tubes, while ample to activate the spray unit so as to achieve amaximum distribution of the water, has little effect on the pressurewithin the main itself. Hence, this pressure in the main can bemaintained over long runs so as to enable the effective distribution ofwater through an activation of numerous individual spinner spray units,the efficiency of which is assured by the unique construction of thevarious units. Further, while not specifically illustrated, each of thevariations can be provided with a blind bore shut-off similar to 50 inthe form of FIGS. 1-5, if so desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention.- Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in a spinner spray system, a spinner spray unit, said unitincluding a mounting head, a water distributing means mounted on saidhead, support means fixed to said head and depending therefrom forengagement with a support base adjacent a plant, and water supply meansmounted on said head, said water supply means including awater dischargeend orientated in spaced alignment with said water distributing meansfor a discharge of water against said water distributing means for asubsequent distribution thereof in a spray pattern, said waterdistributing means being a spinner rotatable in response to theengagement and discharge of water therewith and therefrom, said mountinghead being of a molded one-piece plastic construction, said supportmeans comprising at least one elongated rod, said molded head having adownwardly opening socket defined therein, the upper portion of saidsupport rod being received and frictionally retained within the headsocket, said water supply means comprising an elongated water supplytube having a supply end in opposed relation to the discharge end, saidsupply end being orientated in water receiving communication with asource of water under pressure, said supply tube having an unrestrictedflow passage throughout the full length thereof between and through thesupply and discharge ends, said head including a passage definedtherethrough in alignment with said spinner, the portion of the supplytube at the discharge end thereof being fi'ictionally received withinsaid passage, thereby achieving the alignment of the discharge end withthe spinner.

2. The invention of claim 1 including individual shutoff meansassociated with said supply tube.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said shut-off means comprises ablind socket defined in said head, said socket selectively receiving thedischarge end portion of the supply tube, said socket being of a size soas to frictionally retain the discharge end portion of said supply tubeand effectively precluding the discharge of water therefrom.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said spinner comprises an upwardlydirected face sloping downwardly from a high water receiving point to alow forwardly and laterally located water discharge point, said spinnerrotating about a vertical axis spaced from said water discharge point,the water discharging end of the water supply tube being orientated todischarge water downwardly on the spinner at the water receiving point.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the spinner is in the shape of atruncated cone, the exterior of said spinner having a series ofgenerally vertical ribs defined thereon at equally spaced pointsthereabout, the water discharging end portion of the supply tube beingdirected approximately horizontally toward the spinner.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said spinner comprises ahorizontally orientated disk-like member, and a plurality of radiallyextending fins provided within the confines of the disk-like member andprojecting vertically therefrom.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said fins underlie said disk-likemember and project downwardly therefrom, the water discharging end ofthe supply tube being upward for discharge against said fins.

8. The invention of claim 6 wherein said fins overlie said disk-likemember and project vertically upward therefrom, the discharging end ofthe water tube being downwardly directed for a discharge of wateragainst the fins.

9. For use in a spinner spray system, a spinner spray unit, said unitincluding a mounting head, a water distributing spinner rotatablymounted on said head, and water supply means mounted on said head, saidwater supply means including a water discharge end orientated in spacedalignment with said water distributing spinner for a discharge of wateragainst said spinner for a subsequent distribution thereof in a spraypattern, said water supply means comprising an elongated water supplytube having a supply end in opposed relation to the discharge end, saidsupply end being orientated in water receiving communication with asource of water under pressure, said head including a passage definedtherethrough in alignment with said spinner, the portion of the supplytube at the discharge end thereof being frictionally received withinsaid passage, thereby achieving the alignment of the discharge end withthe spinner.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said spinner comprises an upwardlydirected face sloping downwardly from a high water receiving point to alow forwardly and laterallylocated water discharge point, said spinnerrotating about a vertical axis spaced from said water discharge point,the water discharging end of the water supply tube being orientated todischarge water downwardly on the spinner at the water receiving point.

1 l. The invention of claim 9 wherein the spinner is in the shape of atruncated cone, the exterior of said spinner having a series ofgenerally verticaLribs defined thereon at equally spaced pointsthereabout, the water discharging end portion of the supply tube beingdirected approximately horizontally toward the spinner.

12. The invention of claim 9 wherein said spinner comprises ahorizontally orientated disk-like member, and a plurality of radiallyextending fins provided within the confines of the disk-like member andprojecting vertically therefrom.

13. For use in a spinner spray system, a spinner spray unit fordistributing a stream of water in a substantially horizontal patterncomprising, a single water supply nozzle means discharging a waterstream, a water deflecting spinner, said deflecting spinner beingmounted for rotation on an axis substantially coincident with the axisof said stream, said spinner including a substantially single waterdeflecting means, said spinner being vertically orientated with saiddeflecting means being upwardly directed, said water deflecting meanscomprising a single face sloping downwardly from a high water receivingpoint to a lower and outwardly located water discharge point, saidnozzle means discharging vertically downward onto said deflecting means,said deflecting means redirecting the whole of said water stream as asingle stream and to impart a rotary motion to the deflecting spinner inresponse to the action of said water stream, and, through the rotationof the spinner, distribute said single stream in a substantially uniformradial pattern around said spinner, said deflecting spinner beingrotatably mounted on a single upwardly directed pivotal pin member, saidpivotal member providing both axial and longitudinal support andalignment of the rotatable spinner in spaced relation to said streamdischarging nozzle means.

1. For use in a spinner spray system, a spinner spray unit, said unitincluding a mounting head, a water distributing means mounted on saidhead, support means fixed to said head and depending therefrom forengagement with a support base adjacent a plant, and water supply meansmounted on said head, said water supply means including a waterdischarge end orientated in spaced alignment with said waterdistributing means for a discharge of water against said waterdistributing means for a subsequent distribution thereof in a spraypattern, said water distributing means being a spinner rotatable inresponse to the engagement and discharge of water therewith andtherefrom, said mounting head being of a molded one-piece plasticconstruction, said support means comprising at least one elongated rod,said molded head having a downwardly opening socket defined therein, theupper portion of said support rod being received and frictionallyretained within the head socket, said water supply means comprising anelongated water supply tube having a supply end in opposed relation tothe discharge end, said supply end being orientated in water receivingcommunication with a source of water under pressure, said supply tubehaving an unrestricted flow passage throughout the full length thereofbetween and through the supply and discharge ends, said head including apassage defined therethrough in alignment with said spinner, the portionof the supply tube at the discharge end thereof being frictionallyreceived within said passage, thereby achieving the alignment of thedischarge end with the spinner.
 2. The invention of claim 1 includingindividual shut-off means associated with said supply tube.
 3. Theinvention of claim 2 wherein said shut-off means comprises a blindsocket defined in said head, said socket selectively receiving thedischarge end portion of the supply tube, said socket being of a size soas to frictionally retain the discharge end portion of said supply tubeand effectively precluding the discharge of water therefrom.
 4. Theinvention of claim 3 wherein said spinner comprises an upwardly directedface sloping downwardly from a high water receiving point to a lowforwardly and laterally located water discharge point, said spinnerrotating about a vertical axis spaced from said water discharge point,the water discharging end of the water supply tube being orientated todischarge water downwardly on the spinner at the water receiving point.5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the spinner is in the shape of atruncated cone, the exterior of said spinner having a series ofgenerally vertical ribs defined thereon at equally spaced pointsthereabout, the water discharging end portion of the supply tube beingdirected approximately horizontally toward the spinner.
 6. The inventionof claim 1 wherein said spinner comprises a horizontally orientateddisk-like member, and a plurality of radially extending fins providedwithin the confines of the disk-like member and projecting verticallytherefrom.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said fins underlie saiddisk-like member and project downwardly therefrom, the water dischargingend of the supply tube being upward for discharge against said fins. 8.The invention of claim 6 wherein said fins overlie said disk-like memberand project vertically upward therefrom, the discharging end of thewater tube being downwardly directed for a discharge of water againstthe fins.
 9. For use in a spinner spray system, a spinner spray unit,said unit including a mounting head, a water distributing spinnerrotatably mounted on said head, and water supply means mounted on saidhead, said water supply means including a water discharge end orientatedin spaced alignment with said water distributing spinner for a dischargeof water against said spinner for a subsequent distribution thereof in aspray pattern, said water supply means comprising an elongated watersupply tube having a supply end in opposed relation to the dischargeend, said supply end being orientated in water receiving communicationwith a source of water under pressure, said head including a passagedefined therethrough in alignment with said spinner, the portion of thesupply tube at the discharge end thereof being frictionally receivedwithin said passage, thereby achieving the alignment of the dischargeend with the spinner.
 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said spinnercomprises an upwardly directed face sloping downwardly from a high waterreceiving point to a low forwardly and laterally located water dischargepoint, said spinner rotating about a vertical axis spaced from saidwater discharge point, the water discharging end of the water supplytube being orientated to discharge water downwardly on the spinner atthe water receiving point.
 11. The invention of claim 9 wherein thespinner is in the shape of a truncated cone, the exterior of saidspinner having a series of generally vertical ribs defined thereon atequally spaced points thereabout, the water discharging end portion ofthe supply tube being directed approximately horizontally toward thespinner.
 12. The invention of claim 9 wherein said spinner comprises ahorizontally orientated disk-like member, and a plurality of radiallyextending fins provided within the confines of the disk-like member andprojecting vertically therefrom.
 13. For use in a spinner spray system,a spinner spray unit for distributing a stream of water in asubstantially horizontal pattern comprising, a single water supplynozzle means discharging a water stream, a water deflecting spinner,said deflecting spinner being mounted for rotation on an axissubstantially coincident with the axis of said stream, said spinnerincluding a substantially single water deflecting means, said spinnerbeing vertically orientated with said deflecting means being upwardlydirected, said water deflecting means comprising a single face slopingdownwardly from a high water receiving point to a lower and outwardlylocated water discharge point, said nozzle means discharging verticallydownward onto said deflecting means, said deflecting means redirectingthe whole of said water stream as a single stream and to impart a rotarymotion to the deflecting spinner in response to the action of said waterstream, and, through the rotation of the spinner, distribute said singlestream in a substantially uniform radial pattern around said spinner,said deflecting spinner being rotatably mounted on a single upwardlydirected pivotal pin member, said pivotal member providing both axialand longitudinal support and alignment of the rotatable spinner inspaced relation to said stream discharging nozzle means.